Ron Paul: Restore Due Process and the Rule of Law

It is ironic but perhaps sadly appropriate that Attorney General Eric Holder would choose a law school, Northwestern University, to deliver a speech earlier this month in which he demolished what was left of the rule of law in America.

In what history likely will record as a turning point, Attorney General Holder bluntly explained that this administration believes it has the authority to use lethal force against Americans if the President determines them to be a threat to the nation. He tells us that this is not a violation of the due process requirements of our Constitution because the President himself embodies “due process” as he unilaterally determines who is to be targeted. As Holder said, “a careful and thorough executive branch review of the facts in a case amounts to ‘due process.'” That means that the administration believes it is the President himself who is to be the judge, jury, and executioner.

As George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley wrote of the Holder speech:

“All the Administration has said is that they closely and faithfully follow their own guidelines — even if their decisions are not subject to judicial review. The fact that they say those guidelines are based on notions of due process is meaningless. They are not a constitutional process of review.”

It is particularly bizarre to hear the logic of the administration claiming the right to target its citizens according to some secret selection process, when we justified our attacks against Iraq and Libya because their leaders supposedly were targeting their own citizens! We also now plan a covert war against Syria for the same reason.

I should make it perfectly clear that I believe any individual who is engaging in violence against this country or its citizens should be brought to justice. But as Attorney General Holder himself points out in the same speech, our civilian courts have a very good track record of trying and convicting individuals involved with terrorism against the United States. Our civilian court system, with the guarantee of real due process, judicial review, and a fair trial, is our strength, not a weakness. It is not an impediment to be sidestepped in the push for convictions or assassinations, but rather a process that guarantees that fundamental right to be considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

I am encouraged, however that there appears to be the beginning of a backlash against the administration’s authoritarian claims. Just recently I did an interview with conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham who expressed grave concern over using these sorts of tactics against Americans using the supposed war on terror as justification. Sadly, many conservative leaders were silent when Republican President George W. Bush laid the groundwork for this administration’s lawlessness with the PATRIOT Act, warrantless wiretapping, indefinite detention without trial, and other violations. Similarly, as Professor Turley points out, “Democrats previously demanded the ‘torture memos’ of the Bush administration that revealed poor legal analysis by Judge Jay Bybee and Professor John Yoo to justify torture. Now, however, Democrats are largely silent in the face of a president claiming the right to unilaterally kill citizens.” The misuse of and disregard for our Constitution for partisan political gain is likely one reason the American public holds Congress in such low esteem. Now the stakes are much higher. Congress and the people should finally wake up!

The law is supposed to I imagine help maintain order. I see these people whoever they may be bashing Ron Paul and I wonder who they might support? Is not this a nation of the people , for the people and by the people? Is it not supposed to have a government of Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches? Which dictator do they want ruling them I wonder? Not I. I see Ron as the one who stands for what the nation is supposed to stand for. It is I think normal though that the fools follow fools.

no shit, i feel the same way. sadly thats where all this bullshit is heading. one thing for certain, when they get everything they want, they will be left with nothing. no producers or useful individuals, just a big buracracy of cannibals and thieves

The Real Threat to America and to the world is the State of Israel. The State of Israel was founded on a lie in 1948 and is NOT the same as the REAL Israel that is found in the Set-Apart Scriptures. It is Really time for AMERICA to WAKE UP!!! and realize they need to take there Nation back! before it is to late. Kick them Israeli Jews out of Congress and out of Law enforcement because they are the ones who are helping the State of Israel and them same Israeli Jews have no allegiance to America.

What makes you think the bankers and the Republican party would allow ron paul to run for president if his goal is to stop the their hunger for war????? you all you should know by now the candidates regardless of which party he/she from wont do anything different or better. dont be surprise if ron paul gets in office and finish destroying this country just like bush and obama.

People like you are why we will never escape the grasp of the Elite. So worried about your own racial insecurity, you cant see that we are all in this together. There is no Such thing as “White power” or “black power” … There is ELITE power, and then those of us who wish to end their reign… and we who seek freedom SEE NO COLOR, WE SEE ONLY THE GOAL OF LIBERTY. Go read a book you neonazi racist fuck, Ron Paul does not SUPPORT YOUR IDEALS.

I wish they’d just kill me and get this shit over with. I’m so sick of nothing but sad news for our country. US Fed Govt, come and shoot me between the fucking eyes. It’s obvious you hate me and all free minded Americans. Just put me out of my misery you traitorous fucks.

The NDAA has radically dimmed the light of America’s “Liberty enlightening the world”

A man like Ron Paul gives hope not only to America but to all world, that soon some good light will shine again over the dark times we are witnessing.
It’s already enlightening to listen to a candidate consistent,smart, prepared, honest and next to the people, in defense of people’s rights and liberties.

I’m Italian and I’m sorry i can’t vote for him, still I really hope he will win.

Doctor Paul tells it like it is. Our current administration has taken us so far down that slippery slope of fascism I am not sure if we will ever get back our constitutionally guaranteed freedom and rights. The 3 other GOP contenders would walk lockstep toward even more desecration of the Constitution and takes us even further from the American dream. The media says supporters like us don’t count, we don’t vote, or our votes will not count. Let’s prove them wrong and put RP in the WH in 2012!

8:40 am: "Globalists/banksters would never allow him to win." - junktex

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